New York City!

[Intentional Drifter]

OK, Folks, as a "Left Coaster" from the Pac NW, I've never been to NYC (except the airport, and that doesn't count). However, we're presently in Baltimore (a very pleasant surprise, by the way, the Fells Point area and Inner Harbor have a lot to offer) and looking at being in NYC after Labor Day.

We're planning to go to the 79th St Boat Basin and have about 3 weeks before time to start heading south.

I would love to hear your suggestions for both visiting the city and any wise sailing advice you can give. For the latter, I'd like to know about cautions, as well as destinations within a day sail of the city.

Thank you, in advance.

ID

[Hud3]

ID,

All those NYC area sailors must be out sailing!

[Intentional Drifter]

No kidding, Hud!

Come on, folks! I know you're out there. (Sully, you lived a long time in NYC, right?)

ID

[ssullivan]

Originally Posted by Intentional Drifter

No kidding, Hud!

Come on, folks! I know you're out there. (Sully, you lived a long time in NYC, right?)

ID

The Basics:

79th Street Boat Basin is a fine place to go see Manhattan from. Close to the subway, which is IMO the best way to get around the city. Buy a Metrocard at the station and go wherever you like.

The harbor will be busy and insane. Watch out for ferries (staten island ferry and jersey ferries).

Also, Liberty Landing marina is a great spot to stop (behind statue of liberty) because it is a nice, protected spot without any ferry wakes. They have their own ferry that takes you across to the financial district. A very easy way to get in and out of the city.

You can anchor behind the statue of liberty as well.

I won't comment on the East River because it sounds like you'll stay West and avoid it. Big currents there. If you go farther than the city into LI Sound, check out the many discussions on Hell Gate on this forum. They have all the info.

I don't know how old you are, so it's hard to suggest what to do in the city. The toursity stuff is ok, but there are a lot more interesting things to do in Manhattan aside from go to Times Square.

The city is also very safe. No worries about it being crazy. It's not. In my "average white guy" experience, it's good to stay below the 100's in street numbers. I was always a big fan of the LES (Lower East Side) and East Village. There are clubs galore on the west side (Pacha is a good one). Central Park, Guggenheim, Museum of Nat Hist are all must-sees.

Get pizza and bagels. Pizza is hit or miss, but Ray's whatever is usually ok.

If you want to blow cash on clothing for the missus (or sig other), but not break the bank, there is a little secret store with all the brand names in it called Century 21. It's right next to where the WTC used to stand. I don't suggest visiting that pit in the ground or construction site... not really something I enjoyed seeing tourists at after the incident.

Maybe for touristy stuff, check out Rockafeller Center, Wall St, Central Park, Grand Central, etc...

Watch out for cab drivers. If they sense you are a tourist (and they WILL ha ha ha), they will take you for a nice, scenic ride all over the city at your expense going from Point A to Point B. Know how to get where you are going and don't let the cabbie figure it out. 9 times out of 10 they will take you for a loooong ride. (or stick to subway for better authentic experience)

Wander around:

SoHo
East Village
Midtown East
Grand Central/Park Ave
Central Park
Greenwich Village
TriBeCa
LES

All interesting neighborhoods with something cool on just about every corner.

If you drop in your interests/hopes into this thread, I could better direct you, as could DefJef or others from the area.

[ssullivan]

Sailing Destinations:


NONE!

You are there to see the city. If not, you are either going to deep Jersey, the Long Island Sound, or up the Hudson for a day.

I can't say I recommend any of those as a good day sail destination.


Sailing Cautions:

Only the ferries and be sure not to bring any radioactive materials or linger under bridges (or above tunnels). It's a police state and they will be scanning you!

[ssullivan]

One more thing:

If you have 3 weeks, visit the city for a few days and then head out East in LI Sound. Go for Sag Harbor, Three Mile Harbor, Port Jefferson, Block Island, etc... then come back from Block Island to NJ in a direct line, rather than going through LI Sound again. A trip WELL worth the effort. That is some to of the Northeast's best sailing grounds. Good winds, lots of characters and Block Island is something that really shouldn't be missed if there is a chance...

Ok... back to work for me.

[Intentional Drifter]

Ah, Sully -- THANK YOU!

So, does this mean I shouldn't bring my nuclear-powered cabin heaters? Darn.

ID